VIKINGS, research by Annika Larsson 2008

Vikings

"... combined oriental features with Nordic styles. Their clothing was designed to be shown off indoors around the fire," says textile researcher Annika Larsson, whose research of the central regions of the Vikings (Stockholm and Uppsala in Scandinavia) at Uppsala University for her dissertation last year presents a new picture of the Viking Age (750-1050 A.D.).

"Textile research can tell us more about the state of society than research into traditions. Old rituals can live on long after society has changed, but when trade routes are cut off, there's an immediate impact on clothing fashions," says Annika Larsson. Swedish Viking women in the pre-Christian period probably dressed much more provocatively than we previously believed. Read the full release uu.se

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fig.: Viking men's fashions were modeled on styles in Russia to the east. Archeological finds from the 900s uncovered in Lake Mälaren Valley accord with contemporary depictions of clothing the Vikings wore on their travels along eastern trade routes to the Silk Road. The outfit in the picture is on display at Museum Gustavianum, Uppsala University. Photo: Annika Larsson

Viking women's clothing consisted of a single piece of fabric with a train, an opening in front, and clasps that accentuated the breasts. The apparel in the picture is on display at Museum Gustavianum, Uppsala University. The outfit is worn by Anna Lövgren, who also sewed it. Photo: Annika Larsson